Page 97 of Dueling the Suitors

The Treacherous Game

Rowan stood in the back of the room, eyes on her, as stiff as a statue. The cold expression on his face, the hardness, and the seriousness didn’t suit Rowan. He looked like a stranger.

“This isn’t Rowan.” Astoria shook her head. “You are making an illusion. Drop it, Orion!” She spun around to the wizard, glaring at him. “This is why you wanted me here. To frame Rowan and make me fall for the ruse. At what cost? What do you get out of this?” Her eyes widened in sudden realization. “Oh, you want to bring back the former royal family, don’t you? Since Rowan is the only one who knows where they are, you want him.”

“But why should he frame me to get what he wants?”

Astoria’s head snapped around and found Rowan close behind her now. “Shut up, you are an illusion!”

“Don’t flatter Orion, Astoria. As powerful as he is, he cannot make illusions.” He tilted his head, his cold gaze penetrating hers. “Come on, ask me something only Rowan would know.”

Shock dropped onto her like a massive rock. For a moment, she could only gape at him.

“Go on, ask me.”

Astoria composed herself and asked the first thing that surged into her mind. “What was the first thing I ever said to you?” No sooner than she asked, Astoria realized she didn’t know it herself. But it seemed like Rowan did.

“How could I forget? You thought I was the Emperor.” He took a step forward, his handsome face twisting with malice. “And soon, I’m going to be one—well, a king.”

HewasRowan. Astoria staggered back in shock.

A smirk lifted the corner of his lips at her reaction. “Don’t be so shocked, Astoria. What is it that the old sayings say? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I did just that. I know you are utterly lost and baffled, recounting all our times together, wondering how you never suspected me. I admit I’ve been a great actor. And lucky for you, I’m here to give you the answers you seek—like I promised.”

He was a traitor.Thetraitor.

“Why would you do this?” she demanded through gritted teeth.

There was not a shred of warmth in his eyes that she was used to seeing. He stared at her coldly and said, “He took my throne.”

“Yourthrone?” she parroted incredulously. “I’m sorry, are you telling me you’re the heir to the throne of Draken’s former royalty? What, the king’s illegitimate son or something?”

He gave her a deadpan look.

Astoria’s mock amusement dropped. “You are joking, right?”

“None of this is a joke, Astoria. Cyrus took what was mine, and I’m simply taking it back.”

“Oh, like you would’ve made it to the throne if Cyrus didn’t take it in the first place.” She scoffed and crossed her arms. “I would’ve given up my riches to see that. You were nothing but a helpless squire to—to your half-brother.”

Rowan’s eyes hardened, and he lifted his hand. Threads of magic, glowing and smoky-grey, burst from his fingertips.

Her eyes bulged in disbelief.

“Would you give up your riches to see me take back what’s minenow?” He smirked again, mockery in his gaze. “I fooled you and Cyrus, and both of your magic-sensor pets. I have the means to conceal my magic, and it helped me play my part perfectly. And yes, I am the one who poisoned Cyrus, sent you the notes, and killed the healer.”

An ache so bad settled in her heart. Betrayal.

Astoria couldn’t believe it. All this time, he had been nothing but a deceitful snake? She had thought he was her friend! No man had ever won her over with friendship—except Jasper, but only because she had known him since childhood. But Rowan took barely any time to grow on her.

It sucked. Ithurt.

Astoria willed back the tears threatening to fill her eyes. She wished this was only a nightmare, but the weight of the cuffs on her wrists confirmed the reality.

“It was I who spread rumors about Cyrus’ bloodshed and power-hungriness, painting him as a monster to everyone in the unconquered kingdoms, and earning him the name Angel of Destruction.” He raised an eyebrow. “Does that ring a bell? Angel of Destruction?”

Her breath hitched.

“Orion is a family friend. When Cyrus’ new title grew popular, he told me about the prophecy concerning you. He wasthe one your father turned to for advice when they found the note in your crib, after all, so he was aware of everything about you. When he told me about your powers, I sent him to marry you, with the ruse of a mythical magnification to convince both you and your father. If I wasn’t too busy keeping my enemy close, I would’ve come myself. We wanted a weapon.Youwere our weapon. But of course, you had to be stubborn and challenge him to a duel and beat him.

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